Page 65 of Faking with the Fae King

Shit. I’m not moving.

Because those intense green eyes of his are locked on my lips, making them tingle like he’s already touching them. And caffeine-bender butterflies are zipping around mystomach so quickly I can’t catch my breath.

You need to focus, Hannah. Youhaveto win the third trial. No distractions. No sexy times.

It’s been so hard to remember that. Especially since we’re still spending every second of every evening together. Severin flies me out to isolated areas of the forest and has me practice talking to larger animals, since they’re more likely to be helpful in the third trial. I’ve now bribed a bobcat, another eagle, and a black bear with salmon. It turns out it really is a universally loved fish, and since none of the animals can get it until fall, I’ve become this summer’s salmon supplier. I have two whole fish thawing in my fridge right this very second, ready for tonight’s flight.

He’s so patient through it all! It must be incredibly boring listening to me have so many one-sided conversations. But he doesn’t complain, just waits and flies me to the next location.

Ugh, those flights. That’s when it’s hardest to remain focused, because flying is exciting, and I spend the entire time pressed against Severin and feeling how strong his body is, how carefully he holds me, his shadows wrapping everywhere and reminding me of all the other things he canuse them for…

“Hannah,” Severin growls, his voice so husky it strokes across my skin, raising goosebumps.

Okay, maybesomesexy times are okay? Aren’t there athletes who say orgasms improve their performance? I bet that’s me! I bet I can work even better after a few orgasms… or a hundred. With Severin, any number seems likely.

I sway toward him…

Shadow appears out of thin air only a few feet away.

“Cat,” Severin spits. “We should bell you.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Shadow’s smile shows an awful lot of teeth as he extends his hand. “My finder’s fee.”

Severin forks over two gold coins. Then when Thorvinn comes back downstairs, Severin arranges for the orc to have access to human money so he can open the pub this evening.

Severin’s really putting his all behind helping Ferndale Falls. It clearly means a lot to him to be able to stay on Earth. I keep thinking about all of this in terms of what it means for me and the town. But that agreement we signed clearly stated that each party gets something out of this deal. The shadow fae need this fake marriage, too.

Guilt crashes over me. I really,reallyneed to win this next trial. Not just to save my small town, but for Severin.

He turns back to me, accomplishment filling his emerald eyes, making him look more lickable than ever.

Focus, Hannah. You totally need to focus.

My lady bits give a sad sigh. For just once in my life, I wish I weren’t so damned dependable.

I moan all of this to my besties the next evening, when I join them for a girls’ night out at the new pub.

“Look at all the progress you’ve made,” Skye says. “In less than two weeks, you went from failing one of these bride trials to almost winning. You’re making huge leaps!”

“Yeah!” Autumn slams her tankard down on the bar for emphasis. “You’ve got this. You’re going to win the next one!”

I squint at her. “Are you drunk?”

“Not yet.” She takes another pull. “But I am, as they say, a bit squiffy.”

“Who says that?” Skye giggles. “You need to come by the library and get some books written this century.”

“I don’t think I drank that much.” I stare into my tankard, closing first one eye and then the other. Yep, the liquid’s only half gone, not drained. “So why does it feel like I drank the whole thing?”

“Autumn’s been making the cereal-milk cocktails for the Witch Bitch Spicy Book Club kind of weak.” Skye gives a little burp. “We’re all lightweights now.”

“I have not.” Autumn tries to point, sways on her stool, and slaps that hand to the bar to steady herself. “Okay, maybe I have.”

“No,” Rune’s deep voice says. “Orc ale’s stronger than human beer.”

“Ohhh.” I grin at him. “But the tankards are huge! I thought it was like Oktoberfest, where they make sure the beer’s weaker.”

“The tankards are orc sized.” The werewolf’s lips twitch.

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